The fact that the Longhorns have not identified a starting quarterback has led many people to speculate that the Horns have no clear leader at the position going into next season, and that this may spell trouble this year.

It is fair to assume that having a strong leader at the QB slot is a strong benefit during the offseason. A player like Oklahoma Sooners' Landry Jones is the unquestioned leader of his team, and does not need to senselessly worry about the safety of his starting position going into the 2011 season.

However, I'd like to argue that having four people still competing for the starting spot is not such a bad thing, and in fact, may be a good thing. As a result of this competition, all the way up until the Rice game, I feel the Longhorns will have four QBs with a strong grasp on the offense. This will strengthen the player that lands the back-up role for Texas. Think back to the BCS National Championship Game of 2009, when Texas fell short against Alabama after Colt McCoy was injured and taken out in the first offensive drive. Everyone must congratulate Garrett Gilbert for his valiant effort. While he made some blunders in the first half and finished the game with four picks, he calmed his nerves after half-time and put the Horns back in contention. But one must wonder, if he had been more prepared, could he have saved the game? Will this 4-man quarterback competition truly create better-prepared backup QBs that can enter a game with more poise when called upon?

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